Luss Estates Company Initiates Arrochar Community Hydro Scheme

The building of a community hydro scheme in Arrochar, on Luss Estates’ land, in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, will be underway imminently. The funds required to build the scheme were raised through a community share offer, which was open to local residents and the wider renewable energy community. The build cost of £660K was raised in just two weeks!

Arrochar Community Hydro Scheme is a collaboration between Luss Estates, Arrochar & Tarbet Development Trust, Luss & Arden Development Trust, community energy specialists Energy4All and Local Energy Scotland (CARES). This scheme which was initially proposed by Luss Estates enables these local development trusts to generate income, as part of Luss Estates' commitment to supporting the local communities, economy and environment. The river and surrounding land on which the scheme will be developed will be leased for a peppercorn rent by Luss Estates to enable Arrochar Community Hydro.

Luss Estates Chief Executive, Simon Miller commented: "Luss Estates is delighted to have initiated this scheme in order to support the development trusts to generate income for the local communities in an environmentally friendly scheme. We have worked closely with both development trusts to bring the project to this stage and will continue to support them moving forward. Luss Estates is committed to supporting the local economy, communities and protecting our stunning natural environment."

Construction is due to begin in July 2017 and the scheme will be generating by March 2018, in order to qualify for the pre-accredited feed-in tariff.

Director of Arrochar & Tarbet Development Trust, Duncan MacLachlan, has been working with other community members to bring a small hydro project to the area for a number of years: "It's great to see the hydro scheme is finally going ahead. The Arrochar Hydro concept results from two communities working in partnership – Arrochar & Tarbet Development Trust and Luss & Arden Development Trust. The scheme was offered a CARES loan in March 2015 and planning consent was granted in July 2015. The scheme faced a number of challenges since inception. However, with funding now secured and considerable help from Luss Estates, Energy4All and Local Energy Scotland we are looking forward to progressing with stakeholders and beginning construction work."

David McCowan of Luss & Arden Development Trust commented: “I am delighted that this scheme has come to fruition - this project will create a sustainable financial base to benefit future generations within our communities.”